When was the last time Everton fans had this much reason to be confident for a Merseyside Derby?

'January', you might say with tongue-in-cheek. That, of course, was when Liverpool's youth went on to embarrass a vastly more experienced Everton side at Anfield.

But in the nine months since that dismal defeat, the Toffees' world-class manager has been able to make his mark on their squad as promised.

Off the back of an excellent transfer window, Everton have rattled off four successive wins to set the early pace in the Premier League. They look more than capable of a top-four challenge.

Liverpool, meanwhile, were left to ruminate on the worst defeat of the Jurgen Klopp era over the international break.

They had, however, been in imperious form before the humbling result at Villa Park.

So, as the Reds look to extend their decade-long derby unbeaten streak, there are reasons to be both optimistic and apprehensive. 

Scant belief in much-maligned Adrian

No player came in for more criticism following the extraordinary hiding in the Midlands than deputy goalkeeper Adrian.

That was in spite of the fact that only one of the goals - the disastrous first - was clearly his fault.

The larger issue here is one of confidence: Adrian's own confidence and the confidence his defenders have in him. 

Liverpool fans are all too aware of the destabilising ripple effect of a nervy stopper. 

Recovering self-belief is extremely difficult for a goalkeeper, particularly for Adrian who has now been guilty of a succession of blunders when called upon. 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, the most in-form striker in the country, will relish facing the Spaniard.

He will be closed down venomously when he looks to play out from the back, and surrounded in the build-up to set-pieces. 

Therefore, assured early passes and catches will be crucial.

Whilst this has the potential to be the highest quality derby in years, ending the run of forgettable Goodison stalemates, it could also be decided by which of the two erratic goalkeepers struggles most.

James bids to prey on high-line anxieties

Liverpool will persist with their high-line here even after a glaring illustration of its dangers.

How can we be sure? First of all, Klopp will only have had the luxury of two training sessions with his full squad, insufficient for substantive tactical tweaks.

And second, top teams stick by their footballing identities even in defeat. The compression of the playing area is essential to Liverpool's suffocating style. 

For reasons discussed below, they should not be quite as vulnerable this time. 

But in the form of James Rodriguez, Everton nonetheless have a player have a player capable of ruthlessly exploiting space in-behind.

James specialises in incisive passes and will doubtless hurt Liverpool if given the opportunity. 

And with Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure behind him, Everton have an exceptionally hard-working, tenacious base from which to build.

But it will be a very different Liverpool...

One of the reasons Aston Villa found so much joy was Liverpool's totally inadequate pressing.

The Claret and blue shirts were afforded the time to get their heads up and arrow balls out to runners on the opposite flank, and the Reds were punished time and again as they scrambled back.

But the midfield, which bore most of the responsibility, will look very different on Saturday.

Thiago Alcantara has returned to full training following his coronavirus isolation period and is poised for a full debut.

Crucially, Jordan Henderson will also make his comeback. Liverpool's two implosions this year - at Vicarage Road and Villa Park - have unfolded in his notable absence. 

The tangible value of Henderson's leadership in terms of the tenacity of the press, concentration and game management should not be underestimated.

Naby Keita will drop out with a fitness issue, while Georginio Wijnaldum may be rested after a taxing international triple-header. He played more minutes than any of his team-mates over the break.

Fabinho could even drop out too in favour of the hardened experience of James Milner. Klopp could certainly be forgiven for ringing the changes.

Liverpool should be a different beast. 

Front three unleashed in derby at last

Liverpool will be further strengthened by the return of Sadio Mane, the only Liverpool player to score at Goodison Park in Klopp's tenure.

Indeed, Mane has made a habit of match-winning contributions. Last season, his goals earned the Reds an incredible 18 points.

Mane has played alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino for more than three years now, but remarkably, they have yet to line-up together against Everton.

That seems set to change on Saturday lunchtime, asking serious questions of an Everton defence which, let's not forget, looked timid against Brighton and West Brom.

Latest chance for Reds to demonstrate fortitude

What is Liverpool's defining characteristic? Resilience. This team has grown stronger from its lowest moments.

And make no mistake, even though it was only three dropped points, that historic defeat two Sundays ago represented one of those moments.

Have Liverpool lost focus after securing the prize over which they obsessed?

Supporters don't think so. They have longer memories. The victory against Arsenal six days before disaster had been one of the finest demonstrations of their collective ethos.

They have moved on swiftly and they believe their team has done the same. 

Win the derby, the properly high-stakes derby, and nothing else will matter.

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